[softwaredoug]

My best boss operated out of complete humility, no agenda, and did everything the could to empower and support his subordinates.

He would sit and listen up to an hour or more just hearing about your life, with maybe only 5 minutes dedicated towards crisp work stuff. Just happy to just listen.

He left before 6 everyday, no matter what, always working 40 hrs a week.

He had a lot of tragedy is his life, and emphasized how work was a secondary concern to family and other kinds of fulfillment.

He never had big ambitions to make a splash. He taught me to be content with the craft, even our decades old code base had its own challenge and fun.

I didn’t care that I worked on not-cutting-edge work. Working in that group was some of the most fun I’d had my whole career.

He taught me that it’s often best to let go, be selfless, and don’t let the larger machinations of power brokers get to you. Really care for the people and relationships around you, and you’ll be rewarded in riches more valuable than money or professional prestige.